IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 18-1054
Filed May 13, 2020
STATE OF IOWA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
JAMES ALLEN MINCKS,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Chickasaw County, Richard D.
Stochl, Judge.
James Mincks appeals his convictions for second-degree sexual abuse and
third-degree sexual abuse. AFFIRMED.
Martha J. Lucey, State Appellate Defender, and Stephan J. Japuntich,
Assistant Appellate Defender, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Zachary Miller, Assistant Attorney
General, for appellee.
Considered by Bower, C.J., and Greer and Ahlers, JJ.
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BOWER, Chief Judge.
James Mincks appeals his convictions for second-degree and third-degree
sexual abuse. He asserts insufficient evidence supports his convictions, the court
erred in admitting hearsay and vouching testimony, and trial counsel provided
ineffective assistance. We find substantial evidence supports the verdicts and the
court did not err or abuse its discretion in permitting testimony and affirm. We
preserve one claim of ineffective assistance of counsel for potential postconviction
relief and dismiss the other ineffective-assistance claims on the merits.
In March 2017, a twelve-year-old victim reported to school mental-health
and guidance counselors Mincks had been sexually abusive for over a year.
Mincks had recently moved out of the child’s home when his relationship with the
child’s mother ended. The counselors—who were both mandatory reporters—
informed the department of human services (DHS), and an investigation was
opened.
On May 3, Mincks was charged with one count each of first-degree, second-
degree, and third-degree sexual abuse. The State dismissed the first-degree
count in early April 2018.
During the three-day trial in late April, the jury heard testimony for the State
from the child, a mental-health counselor, a forensic interviewer with a child
protection center (CPC), a school guidance counselor, a nurse practitioner who
conducted a physical examination of the child, and the investigating officer. The
defense presented testimony from the child’s former mental-health counselor, the
child’s mother, and Mincks.
3
On April 27, the jury convicted Mincks of one count of second-degree and
one count of third-degree sexual abuse, in violation of Iowa Code sections
709.3(1)(b) and 709.4(1)(b) (2017), respectively.
Mincks appeals. He claims the evidence was not sufficient to sustain his
convictions, the district court erred in admitting hearsay and vouching testimony,
and his counsel provided ineffective assistance. We will lay out the facts below
only as necessary.
I. Standard of Review
“Sufficiency of the evidence claims are reviewed for corrections of errors at
law.” State v. Lilly, 930 N.W.2d 293, 298 (Iowa 2019). “We review hearsay rulings
for correction of errors at law and will reverse the admission of hearsay evidence
as prejudicial unless the contrary is shown. We review all other evidentiary rulings
for an abuse of discretion.” State v. Dudley, 856 N.W.2d 668, 675 (Iowa 2014)
(citation omitted). We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo.
State v. Macke, 933 N.W.2d 226, 230 (Iowa 2019).
II. Analysis
A. Sufficiency of the evidence. “In making determinations regarding the
sufficiency of the evidence, we ‘view the evidence in the light most favorable to the
State, regardless of whether it is contradicted, and every reasonable inference that
may be deduced therefrom must be considered to supplement that evidence.’”
Lilly, 930 N.W.2d at 298 (citation omitted). We will uphold the verdict if substantial
evidence supports it, i.e., there is evidence sufficient to convince a rational jury the
defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Sanford, 814 N.W.2d 611,
615 (Iowa 2012).
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Mincks claims inconsistencies in the child’s testimony rendered the
evidence insufficient to warrant conviction. Mincks points to contradictions
between the child’s trial testimony and both an earlier deposition and some of the
mother’s testimony. Mincks also alleges the investigating officer failed to interview
those close to the child.
“In our system of justice, it is the jury’s function to determine the credibility
of a witness.” Dudley, 856 N.W.2d at 677. It is for the jury to determine the effect
of inconsistencies on the credibility of a witness. State v. Romeo, 542 N.W.2d 543,
549 (Iowa 1996). Discrepancies in testimony do not necessarily render a victim’s
testimony unbelievable. State v. Laffey, 600 N.W.2d 57, 60 (Iowa 1999).
Mincks had the opportunity to question the child and during cross-
examination brought up discrepancies between the child’s trial and deposition
testimony. When questioning the investigating officer, Mincks rigorously
questioned the officer regarding the investigation process, including corroboration,
potential physical evidence, vagueness in the child’s story, and who the officer had
interviewed during the investigation. Although not required, Mincks brought his
own witnesses to present evidence attempting to undermine the child’s story.
The jury assessed the witnesses’ testimony, determined the child’s
testimony reliable, and found Mincks guilty. Viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the State, we conclude substantial evidence supports the jury’s
verdict.
B. Hearsay. Mincks claims the district court erred by allowing hearsay
testimony from the child’s mental-health counselor and the forensic interviewer.
The district court ruled the statements admissible under an exception to the
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hearsay rule. See Iowa R. Evid. 5.803(4) (granting an exception for a statement
that is “made for—and is reasonably pertinent to—medical diagnosis or treatment”
and “[d]escribes medical history, past or present symptoms or sensations, or the
inception or general cause of symptoms or sensations”). Mincks claims
mental-health counselor’s testimony about the initial abuse discussion with the
child was forensic in nature, not diagnostic in purpose.
The admission of hearsay under Iowa Rule of Evidence 5.803(4) requires a
showing the child made the statement for treatment purposes and the information
is of a type reasonably relied on for treatment or diagnosis. See State v. Walker,
935 N.W.2d 874, 879 (Iowa 2019). The State must establish the testimony comes
within the exception to the rule. Id.
The child went to see the mental-health counselor for treatment, and there
is no evidence the child went to the counselor to create evidence. See id. at 880.
The State asked if the counselor relied on the statements “for purposes of
continuing medical diagnosis and treatment,” and the counselor, “Yes.” The
discussion between the counselor and the child led to more than a year of
mental-health treatment with the counselor. The statements from the child to the
mental-health counselor clearly fall within the rule 5.803(4) exception: what the
child told the counselor was for purposes of treatment, and the allegations of abuse
and identity of the perpetrator were highly relevant to treating the child’s mental
health. The court did not err in allowing the counselor’s testimony at trial.
Mincks next objected to an excerpt of the child’s forensic interview,
asserting the statements were part of the criminal investigation, not for diagnostic
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or treatment purposes.1 However, the State offered the interview excerpt under
the residual hearsay exception of rule 5.807 and as a prior consistent statement
under rule 5.801(d)(1)(B). On appeal, Mincks does not contest the video’s
admissibility on the grounds under which it was offered and admitted. The court
did not err in admitting the video.
C. Vouching. “Expert testimony in child sexual abuse cases can be very
beneficial to assist the jury in understanding some of the seemingly unusual
behavior child victims tend to display.” Dudley, 856 N.W.2d at 675. “Experts may
express general opinions but may not directly comment on the veracity of the child
victim.” State v. Leedom, 938 N.W.2d 177, 192 (Iowa 2020). “[T]here is a very
thin line between testimony that assists the jury in reaching its verdict and
testimony that conveys to the jury that the child’s out-of-court statements and
testimony are credible.” Dudley, 856 N.W.2d at 677.
An expert witness who is allowed to testify “a child’s physical manifestations
or symptoms are consistent with sexual abuse trauma” is essentially telling the jury
the child’s symptoms means a sexual-abuse trauma occurred and the child must
be telling the truth. Id. This kind of testimony crosses the line into impermissible
vouching. Id. at 677–78. However, statements the child’s statements are
consistent throughout an interview do not “cross[] the line” and “[t]he jury is entitled
to use this information to determine the victim’s credibility.” Id. at 678.
Mincks challenges statements from the mental-health counselor, school-
guidance counselor, forensic interviewer, and investigating officer as
1The excerpt included five minutes of the 108 minute interview during which the
child described the first alleged incident of abuse.
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impermissible vouching. These statements complained of include descriptions of
the child’s demeanor when telling what happened, that the child had not recanted
their story, had remained consistent in disclosures, and that the child’s story was
consistent among interviewers.
From Mincks’s cross-examination of the child, it was clear a defense
strategy was attacking the victim’s consistency and credibility. Under the
circumstances, the later witness statements regarding the consistency of the
victim’s story do not cross the line, and the jury was entitled to use the information
in its credibility determinations. The court did not abuse its discretion in allowing
the statements.
D. Ineffective assistance of counsel. Finally, Mincks claims counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing to object to additional hearsay and
vouching claims, withdrawing rule 5.412 motions, and failing to object to an exhibit
and a jury instruction.2
“To establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant
must prove by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) that trial counsel failed to
perform an essential duty, and (2) that prejudice resulted from this failure.” State
v. Fountain, 786 N.W.2d 260, 265–66 (Iowa 2010). If the defendant is unable to
prove either element, the claim fails. Id. at 266. “In analyzing the first prong of the
test, we presume counsel acted competently.” State v. Cromer, 765 N.W.2d 1, 7–
2 Iowa Code section 814.7 was recently amended to prohibit consideration of
ineffective-assistance claims on direct appeal. See Iowa Code § 814.7 (2020). In
Macke, however, our supreme court held these amendments “apply only
prospectively and do not apply to cases pending on July 1, 2019.” 933 N.W.2d at
235. Because this appeal was pending on July 1, 2019, we may consider Mincks’s
ineffective-assistance claims on direct appeal if the record is sufficient. See id.
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8 (Iowa 2009). “Counsel has no duty to raise an issue that has no merit.” Fountain,
786 N.W.2d at 263.
1. Vouching. Mincks claims the mental-health counselor’s testimony about
reporting the child’s allegations to DHS constituted vouching and counsel should
have objected. Immediately after the counselor testified to calling DHS after the
child’s disclosures, the State immediately clarified the mental-health counselor
was a mandatory reporter. Additional trial testimony informed the jury that
mandatory reporters have a legal obligation to report abuse allegations to DHS.
See Iowa Code § 232.69 (designating mandatory reporters of child abuse).
We recognize our supreme court has found that the following statement in
an expert report—“This examiner agrees this disclosure is significant and that an
investigation is clearly warranted”—impermissibly vouched for a victim’s credibility.
State v. Brown, 856 N.W.2d 685, 688–89 (Iowa 2014). However, this situation is
different. The counselor did not voice an opinion on the veracity of the disclosure
or the need for investigation—the counselor followed through on her mandatory
reporting obligations. Because the jury was informed mandatory reporters were
required to report allegations of abuse to DHS and that the mental-health
counselor was a mandatory reporter, the mental-health counselor’s testimony of
reporting the allegations to DHS did not constitute impermissible vouching.
Because the testimony did not constitute vouching, counsel had no duty to
object to it. Therefore, this claim of ineffective assistance of counsel fails.
2. Hearsay. Mincks asserts counsel should have objected to two additional
instances of hearsay. First, he objects to statements by the nurse practitioner that
conducted the physical examination of the child at the CPC, claiming the State
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failed to establish sufficient foundation for the statements to be considered for
medical diagnosis. Mincks also claims counsel should have objected to the
forensic interviewer’s testimony indicating the child’s interview statements were
consistent with what the mother, DHS, and law enforcement had told her of the
child’s allegations as hearsay within hearsay.
While erroneous admission of hearsay is presumed prejudicial unless
otherwise established, “we will not find prejudice if the admitted hearsay is merely
cumulative.” State v. Hildreth, 582 N.W.2d 167, 170 (Iowa 1998). Any non-
medical information in the nurse practitioner’s testimony was contained in the
child’s testimony or the counselors’ testimony. Therefore the nurse practitioner’s
testimony was merely cumulative and therefore not prejudicial. See id.
Mincks’s other hearsay claim is that the forensic interviewer’s testimony
included a hearsay-within-hearsay statement. The pertinent testimony is:
Q. Now, you had met with mother, DHS, law enforcement prior
to speaking with [the child]; correct? A. Yes.
Q. Based on the information that [the child] provided during
[the] interview, did the information that [the child gave] you appear
consistent with what you would have been previously told [the child]
had disclosed?
....
A. Yes.
The forensic interviewer did not say what information the mother, DHS, and law
enforcement provided, so there is no statement for us to evaluate for double
hearsay. See Iowa R. Evid. 5.805 (allowing hearsay within hearsay “if each part
of the combined statements conforms with an exception to the rule”). In addition,
the mother and law enforcement both testified, making any potential hearsay
merely cumulative and therefore not prejudicial.
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Because Mincks has failed to establish prejudice, his claims of ineffective
assistance relating to these hearsay objections fail.
3. Rule 5.412 motions. Two weeks before trial, counsel filed two motions
seeking to offer evidence the child made prior false accusations of sexual abuse
under rule 5.412. Counsel withdrew the motions before trial, stating at the pretrial
hearing,
[A]fter careful examination of the evidence available to us, after a
careful review of strategy, and in our judgment the probative value of
what we were proposing did not sufficiently weigh for us to pursue
that. The difficulty of calling past social workers and people from out
of state and the like outweighed the likelihood of success.
The court consulted with Mincks, who agreed he had consulted with counsel and
agreed in the decision.
On appeal, Mincks asserts “there exists no conceivable strategy for failing
to present the evidence in question to the jury.” This record is devoid of counsel’s
thought process and reasoning. “Postconviction proceedings are often necessary
to discern the difference between improvident trial strategy and ineffective
assistance.” Fountain, 786 N.W.2d at 267. Because we do not have the full record
to evaluate this claim, we preserve it for possible postconviction relief.
4. Video exhibit. The State offered as rebuttal evidence a five-minute video
excerpt of the child’s forensic interview.3 Defense counsel objected based on
hearsay and improper rebuttal, and the court overruled the objections. Mincks
asserts counsel should have also argued that the prejudicial effect outweighed the
3 Counsel had cross-examined the child regarding when and at what age the
alleged incidents of abuse occurred, using the child’s answers during a deposition
taken in June 2017.
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probative value and was cumulative to the child’s testimony. He further claims
counsel should have requested that an interrogatory be submitted to the jury
asking if the video evidence supported the jury’s verdict.
After reviewing the proposed exhibit, the court overruled other objections to
the admittance of the video excerpt. When admitting it, the court stated, “The
videotape clarifies a consistency. I find it to be the most reliable evidence versus
allowing the witness who was on the stand yesterday to simply state [their]
recollection of what was said.” The court noted the defense strategy of showing
the child’s allegations were inconsistent and possibly coached. The court’s
reasoning indicates it found the video excerpt more probative than recalling the
victim to testify further. See State v. Veverka, 938 N.W.2d 197, 203–04 (Iowa
2020) (examining the admissibility of a forensic interview under the residual
exception to the rule against hearsay). We have no reason to believe the court
would have sustained an additional objection as to the prejudicial effect
outweighing the probative nature of the evidence. Additionally, the child had
testified to the information included in the video. The video was cumulative
evidence, and Mincks has not established he was prejudiced by counsel’s failure
to lodge an additional objection.
5. Jury instruction. Mincks’s final claim is counsel should have objected to
a jury instruction concerning his out-of-court statements. The instruction provided:
“Evidence has been offered to show that the defendant made statements at an
earlier time and place. If you find any of the statements were made, then you may
consider them as part of the evidence, just as if they had been made at this trial.”
Mincks claims this instruction is a misstatement of the law, contending the jury
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should have been free to determine the weight and reliability of the statements
rather than the direction to treat them as if made during trial. Mincks cites recent
dissents from this court supporting his view.
This court has rejected similar claims in the past, finding the instruction to
be a correct statement of law. See State v. Chrzan, No. 18-1327, 2019 WL
5067174, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Oct. 9. 2019) (collecting cases). As Mincks argues,
this determination has not been without disagreement. See State v. Payne, No.
16-1672, 2018 WL 1182624, at *11–12 (Iowa Ct. App. Mar. 7, 2018) (Tabor, J.,
dissenting) (asserting the instruction is an incorrect statement of law). We note
that the language challenged in this case no longer appears in the model
instruction, but that change occurred after Mincks’s trial.4
Regardless of the recent change to the instruction, the question presented
is whether counsel was ineffective in failing to object. At the time of Mincks’s trial
the controlling precedent established the instruction was a correct statement of
law. Because the instruction was a correct statement of the law, counsel had no
4Iowa Criminal Jury Instruction 200.44, which the complained-of jury instruction is
based upon, was revised in June 2018. The model instruction now states:
200.44 Statements By The Defendant. Evidence has been offered
to show that the defendant made statements at an earlier time and
place.
If you find any of the statements were made, then you may
consider them as part of the evidence.
*You may also use these statements to help you decide if you
believe the defendant. You may disregard all or any part of the
defendant’s testimony if you find the statements were made and
were inconsistent with the defendant’s testimony given at trial, but
you are not required to do so. Do not disregard the defendant’s
testimony if other evidence you believe supports it or you believe it
for any other reason.
....
*The last paragraph should be used only if the defendant testifies.
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duty to object to it. See Fountain, 786 N.W.2d at 263 (“Counsel has no duty to
raise an issue that has no merit.”).
We affirm the convictions, find the court did not err or abuse its discretion,
preserve the rule 5.412 motion ineffective-assistance claim for possible
postconviction proceedings, and reject the remaining ineffective-assistance claims
on the merits.
AFFIRMED.